Daily Archives: March 7, 2019

Lawprofblawg, Joe and Bush, Darren, The Most Important Law Review Article You’ll Never Read: A Hilarious (in the Footnotes) Yet Serious (in the Text) Discussion of Law Reviews and Law Professors (2018). Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, Vol. 50, 2018. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3339527

“No! Stop! Go back! Reading the abstract is like taking the red pill in the Matrix. In this article we discuss “the game.” “The game” is the quest for measuring scholarship success using metrics such as law review ranking, citation counts, downloads, and other indicia of scholarship “quality.” We argue that this game is rigged, inherently biased against authors from lower ranked schools, women, minorities, and faculty who teach legal writing, clinical, and library courses. As such, playing “the game” in a Sisyphean effort to achieve external validation is a losing one for all but a few. Instead, we argue that faculty members should reject this entrenched and virulent hierarchy, and focus on the primary purposes of writing, which are to foster innovation in a fashion that is both pleasing to the author and that improves society. We discuss this rigged game, and seek to reframe our academic life to focus on enhancing innovation and discourse. We would start by skipping abstract writing. Now go back to your life. Don’t even think about downloading and reading this. It’s too dangerous.” [h/t Mary Whisner]

CRS report via Library of Congress – The President’s Authority to Withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Without Further Congressional Action, March 5, 2019: “…This report examines the President’s authority to terminate the United States’ international obligations under NAFTA without further action from Congress. It also examines whether the… Continue Reading

Carpenter, Megan M., Legal Education Unbundled (and Rebundled) (February 19, 2019). University of Toledo Law Review, 2019. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3337812 “This essay calls for an unbundling of legal education, much like the kind of unbundling we have seen in the cable, music, and print news media. It suggests that the standard legal education “bundle”… Continue Reading

“Americans are spreading their book consumption across several formats, and the use of audiobooks is rising. About three-quarters (74%) of Americans have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2012, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in January. Print books remain… Continue Reading

NBC News San Diego: “The documents detail an intelligence-gathering effort by the United States and Mexican authorities, targeting more than 50 people including journalists, an attorney, and immigration advocates…Documents obtained by NBC 7 Investigates show the U.S. government created a secret database of activists, journalists, and social media influencers tied to the migrant caravan and… Continue Reading

Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse: “The latest data from the IRS show an alarming and continued downward spiral in government audits of the wealthiest taxpayers and America’s corporate giants. Despite growing income inequality – where the top 1 percent of Americans control much of the wealth in the United States – less and less attention is… Continue Reading

Oxford University Blog: “In celebration of International Women’s Day, explore our interactive timeline detailing women’s legal landmarks throughout history. Covering from 1835, when married women’s property laws began to be reformed in America, through to future considerations on how the English judiciary system can continue to improve diversity, delve into the key milestones of women’s… Continue Reading

Blockchain Reaction – How library professionals are approaching blockchain technology and its potential impact. “American Libraries talked with five librarians and information professionals who are at the forefront of blockchain technology about what library workers need to know about blockchain, the role libraries can play in educating the public, and the ways this emerging technology… Continue Reading

Once again, federal wildlife officials say their numbers have rebounded. But conservationists may go back to court to fight the move. “Federal wildlife officials are proposing to strip endangered species protections from the gray wolf populations in the Lower 48 states, citing significant increases in their numbers across much of the nation. The decision, announced… Continue Reading

“International Women’s Day 2019 – Campaign theme is #BalanceforBetter – A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world? Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. Get everything you need to run a successful International Women’s Day right here.” “International Women’s Day (March 8)… Continue Reading

The New York Times: “Drowning in plastic, but not sure how to set yourself free? Plastic purgers say you can drastically reduce, if not eliminate, your plastic consumption by changing a few daily habits. Here are nine steps to get you started….” Continue Reading

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